Alfa Romeo To Get Five New Models By 2018

Fiat Chrysler Automobile's plans for the future of Alfa Romeo are coming to light. Alfa Romeo will have five new models by 2018, including a pair of rear-drive sedans designed to compete with BMW's best, some new sports cars, and two new crossover SUVs.

As we reported late last year, Alfa's new models are slated to ride on a new rear-wheel drive platform and they're a key part of Fiat Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne's plans for Alfa (and the rest of Fiat) to return to profitability in Europe by 2016, says Automotive News.Despite rumors that it could be badged as a Fiat, Automotive News reports the first of Alfa Romeo's five new models is slated to be the long-awaited Alfa Romeo Spider, which is based on the next-gen Mazda MX-5 Miata. The small roadster will be followed up by the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia. The Giulia will come in sedan and wagon forms, and will serve as Alfa's 3 Series-fighter. The Giulia will reportedly be followed a year later by the 2018 Alfa Romeo Alfetta. Positioned as a 5 Series rival, the Alfa Alfetta will also be available in sedan and wagon forms. Alfa's new models will be rounded out by a compact crossover in 2017 and a larger crossover in 2018. Alfa's compact crossover will likely share its platform with the Jeep Cherokee, while the larger crossover will probably use a version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee's platform.

With Alfa Romeo pivoting to become sportier, fans of Alfa's current lineup might be disappointed to find out that the front-drive MiTo and Giulietta hatchbacks are more than likely to be dropped.Considering Alfa's re-re-launch in the U.S. with the new 4C later this year, we wouldn't be surprised to eventually see the Spiders, Alfettas, and Giulias on American roads by the end of the decade.

@dfschim I'll do a split on that, Mito ~ Fiat, Giulietta ~ Chrysler.That
is unless FCA sees the light and brings the hatchback version of the
Dart to North America, with an AWD SRT version. Then we would not need
the Giulietta even though it would be a nice car for our market.

What is truly needed is some turbo and twin turbo charging of the Tigershark and Pentastar engines, and MV Agusta motorcycles. :)

@allworlds If you make the MiTo a Fiat you basically have an Abarth Punto Evo. I just question the viability of the Fiat name in the US. It had a bad reputation before, and it doesn't seem to be selling well now. Even calling it a Dodge Omni GLH would be an improvement in reputation.

They should bring the Giulietta as a Chrysler 100. The 1750 turbo would do fine in a car that size, and the lighter weight would be a better home for a 1.4 aero model. Bring the Dart hatchback and turbocharge the Tigershark for an SRT model. The 1750 could replace the 1.4 for the Dart, 3200 lbs is too much for that engine.

I truly give zero shits about Alfa news at this point; I'll care again when I see mules. That being said, I'd like to hear more concrete news on these platforms. At the moment, Maserati has it's own family of RWD platforms, Dodge/Chrysler has their own and it sounds like Alfa will too.